Author's Notes: A large amount of Sinzo's history and Snarleos history would appear in this chapter, not to mention a good amount of the Language Twilasin, which I made up. Mimi; Joe and Yamato are all going to appear in this chapter, as well as others, but not Takeru, not yet. Some of the information in this chapter and maybe in coming chapters would be preludes for the coming sequel: Rise of the Undead. Remia...
The Challenge of Myths
By Star Otamon
Chapter 4: Trouble in Trespass Swamps
There is a land... A land full of harmony... With its prosperous people... Of noble species... A land yet full of mysteries... No matter the unveiled... Snarleos remains the wonder... A land full of harmony
Fireballs burned the ground, arrows flew through the air and rifles roared, being fired by their dwarves. Black large dragons were flying through the air, launching fireballs at hapless humans; elves or dwarves. Smoke arose in the battlefield, covering it in a thick smoke cloud. Bandits emerged within the cloud, and knights and footmen held them off as best as they could, but more and more bandits appeared, while the humans; elves and dwarves lost more and more.
Gryphon Riders and Gyrocopters were no where in sight. It seemed that on their way over to the battle, they got lost somewhere in the desert. The battle wasn't lost yet though, as a familiar flying arrow went straight for an eye of a black dragon and pierced it. The black dragon immediately stopped its attacks on the humans; elves and dwarves, moving its head around ferociously, howling in pain.
Wisely, the humans; elves and dwarves swiftly withdrew organized, and the enraged black blind dragon started firing fireballs at random, out of rage and pain. Fireballs flew through the air, scaring other black dragons in the air and burning the bandits below. All the humans; elves and dwarves withdrew, except for one and the owner of the right aimed arrow stopped short, glancing in fear and worry at the one who engaged the confused enemies.
"Kamisai." The ranger whispered.
The so called Kamisai was an elven ranger from Kestian Land, but who lived in Young Owl. Unlike some other rangers, Kamisai chose to bare the so called famous, yet unique blade and sword, called The Owl Feather Soblard, along with his quiver of arrows and bow. With his Owl Feather, he hacked through the bandits smoothly, like a knife through butter. His foes tried to avoid or block his slashes, but he was too swift; deadly and merciless.
One of the scared black dragons, with smoke rising off of his burned and damaged scales, watched the hapless, yet dangerous elf, slash through the bandits. The black dragon's eyes narrowed and it opened his mouth, taking careful aim. Kamisai wasn't aware of the danger that faced him, but the ranger fearful for him noticed. He gasped and rushed towards his older brother, leaving the safety of the withdrawn allied humans; elves and dwarves behind him.
"Sinzo!" A female ranger yelled, barging through the retreating units.
An elven priest held her back, but the female ranger struggled. The priest proved to have more strength than the female ranger, and so he was successful in holding her back. The female ranger growled and stopped resisting, watching helpless. Sinzo rushed through the battlefield, with dead corpses of fellow comrades and more of the enemy bandits. He was closing on Kamisai, but he knew he would never reach him.
The black dragon let loose his fireball, deadly on his target. Heat was the first thing he felt, and he barely gasped before it collided into him. Sinzo slid on the bloody battleground and caught his older brother from behind, but it was too late. The fireball had already fried him, beyond recognition, like a burned corpse. Tears fell down Sinzo's eyes and he closed them, clenching tightly onto his deceased brother, weeping over him.
Sinzo faintly heard another creature weeping, and he stopped, opened his eyes and looked around. Not too far from him, was a young female tauren, weeping over her dead father. The male tauren had slashes all over his body and it was obvious he was dead, with his eyes closed. Only a few tauren joined the united forces against the Bandits and Dragons. Sinzo tensed up and gently let his burned brother onto the bloody ground.
Without looking above him, he rushed towards the young tauren, knowing that one of the black dragons had already aimed at her. He sensed that he would be able to save her, as he reacted faster than he had with his elder brother. Upon reaching her, he swiftly grabbed onto her, carried her a few inches off the ground and rushed away. The dragon followed its target and was so focused on the two, that it didn't see the rain of arrows and bullets raining towards it.
Sensing the danger that the dragon posed on Sinzo and the young female tauren, the elves and dwarves all held their ground and put arrows in their bows or loaded their rifles. As one, the elves and dwarves let loose with the barrage of arrows and bullets towards the black dragon. Bullets pounded onto the dragon's scales and arrows penetrated its scales, deep into its flesh. The dragon lost its focus and roared in agony.
Before it knew it, a second barrage washed over it, this time the bullets and arrows reached its tail and wings. Wounded beyond recovery, the black dragon slowly closed its large eyes and floated down towards the bloody ground. Thanks to the cover from the elves and dwarves, Sinzo was able to reach safety, with the young female tauren still with him. He let go of her and a few elven sorceresses took her away.
While being taken away, the young female tauren glanced back at Sinzo and Sinzo saw it. Once the young tauren was out of sight, Sinzo turned his head towards the battleground. The surviving bandits and black dragons were withdrawing, leaving their dead and wounded behind. The united forces all cheered in triumph, but Sinzo sighed, as the battle for him was lost, with him losing his elder brother. The time for celebration would come later and Sinzo wasn't planning on joining it.
As for now, the time for burial was more relevant and the united forces went straight to it, and finished off the wounded enemies. Sinzo walked over to his brother's burned corpse, grabbed the sword and sheathed it. He put it around his belt. He knelt down, put his arms under his brother's corpse and picked the corpse up, careful not to damage it more as it was. He walked away from the battleground, with other units carrying their dead comrades away.
Sinzo saw them drag away one of the few fallen tauren, the father that the young female tauren weep over, and he continued on towards Starrune Cemetery. The bodies of the bandits and the black dragons were left alone on the battleground. A few hours passed and the bodies were all buried. The united forces celebrated in the nearest town, which was Young Owl. Sinzo had already cleaned and stashed the Owl Feather in his room in Mystic Hotel, Young Owl.
He was alone, watching the sunset on one of the sand hills near Young Owl. The chilling wind blew his clothes into the night air, with him staring off into the horizon. From behind, with his pointed elf ears, Sinzo heard faint steps heading towards him. Steps that only a trained elf would be able to do. He smiled to himself, realizing that it was Alleria: the ranger elf that called out his name; the one he had heard, but pushed on back then.
The female ranger seated herself down beside Sinzo and both remained silent for the rest of the night, just gazing off into the horizon or up into the sky and at the stars. It was a hard won battle, but to some; like Sinzo, it was a tragic lost battle, one that Sinzo would never forgot for the rest of his life; the battle that took his elder brother away from him. What was he going to do now with Kamisai gone?
Sinzo mentally sighed, slowly returning back to consciousness. The first thing he noticed was extra weight on the feather bed. Something or someone else was on the bed with him. Sinzo didn't want to find out, but either way he had to get up, because he could feel the morning warmth of the cold region. He sniffed the air and smelled her odor, her sweet odor, an odor that only she wore. Sinzo smiled and opened his eyes.
Immediately, his eyes widened and he sat up in bed, crawling backwards, hitting the wall of the bedroom, still on the bed. Before him was a female elf like him, a white elf, better known as a high elf or Dawn Elf. Her hair was long; smooth and blonde, her green eyes dazzled Sinzo and Sinzo's heart skipped a heartbeat, with her long pointed ears sensitive to sound. Obviously to him, the female dawn elf was close to his age.
She looked concerned for a moment and titled her head; her eyes filled with worry.
"What's wrong?" Her sweet voice asked.
Sinzo recognized the voice and gasped. He blinked and the female dawn elf was gone, replaced by Fairy Venera Stentor. Sinzo sucked in some air and was completely speechless, realizing what happened. He saw Venera not as a fairy, but the female dawn elf was actually Venera herself! Knowing how awkward he looked like, he chuckled and relaxed. He shook his head.
"Nothing. Everything is fine." He smiled quietly.
Venera returned the smile and nodded.
"Glad to hear it. I was worried there for a moment. It looked like you saw a phantom or something." She stated.
Sinzo nervously giggled, "why would I? If I saw anything, I saw something as beautiful and soft as the sparkling clean snow." He whispered.
Venera blushed and lowered her head, all of a sudden speechless and shy beyond words.
'Nice to wake up from such a memory and see such beauty before you.' Sinzo thought to himself.
Slowly recovering from her shyness, Venera remembered why she was there and was disappointed, because she wasn't there for the reason she wanted to be. She was there to inform Sinzo of an event, the Welcoming Parade, a Welcoming Parade for all of The Silver Caste and since Sinzo was the leader of the caste, he should be in the front row.
"... Sinzo..." Venera started.
"Sio... call me Sio." Sinzo whispered.
Venera smiled, "Sio then. Sio, the emperor requires your audience. I know for what, but it's not my place to tell you. The rest of the caste would be present." She informed.
"Where?" Sinzo asked.
"In the Meditation Hall." Venera replied.
Sinzo raised an eyebrow, "Meditation Hall? Hmm..."
'Does it have anything to do with the Welcoming Parade for us? Probably. It's about time! We've been here like for three days now.' He thought.
"... O.K. Let's get a move on it then. It won't be nice to make the emperor wait." Sinzo giggled.
Venera giggled nicely and both got off of the bed. Venera walked out of the bedroom and waited for Sinzo in the corridor, outside his bedroom. The bedroom door was closed and Sinzo changed from his sleeping clothes into his ranger uniform, complete with his sword in its sheath, but without his quiver of arrows and bow. Sinzo figured that his sword would be formal enough; there was no need to saddle up for battle.
Before turning the knob, Sinzo took one glance around his bedroom. It was absolutely beautiful, as were all the rooms and halls in the Emperor's Palace. The walls were all painted green, with green wallpaper over it: Sinzo's favorite color, but below both wallpaper and paint was white marble. It had large black silk curtains covering the three wide windows in the bedroom. Shutters were attached to them and the windows had glass covering them.
The Empire of Floating Flake was the most advanced in technology, with Feather Snow being the jewel of the empire. The bed was king size and with oak wood covering the top of the bed. The mattresses of the bed was on an oak wood structure and unbelievably comfortable. The mattresses were of feather, as were the pillows. The blankets were of silk, but slightly thick and colored dark green.
There was an oak wood desk with a comfortable oak chair with it, positioned to the north wall, with the bed positioned in the middle to the west, under the middle wide window. Close to the oak desk and chair was an oak closet, where Sinzo stashed his supplies and weapons. The rug was imported from Floating Leaf, the capital of Elven Kestian Land, which the land was famous for. The rug was warm; comfortable and thick.
It wasn't easy creating small... Sinzo wasn't sure what it was called, but he accepted the term of small craters, where something heavy would damage a thick rug and pin it down, from where the legs of furniture would be. The rug was colored white, with a pattern and picture of a blizzard storm. The candle light was softly green, enchanted by magic to be green colored, when they would be lighted.
The candles themselves were off, only lighted during the night and could be blown out by the occupant of the room, when he or she wished it to be dark in the room. The curtains in the room were open. Forests of oak were common in the empire and so there wasn't any big trouble or fuss about it. There was a full size mirror right next to the door to the north, positioned to the east wall, near the door of the bedroom.
Sinzo checked himself fully for one last time and turned the knob of his bedroom, opening the door. He stepped out and closed the door behind him. He had his bedroom key with him, but the Empire of Floating Flake was completely safe, and so there was no need to lock the room, but a key and lock were made as precaution. The corridor walls were made of white marble with torches lit up the walls, with the fire being enchanted white.
The rug was of a white cloud sky, thick and comfortable. Sinzo and Venera walked down the corridors, with all the corridors being the same. There was no need of shoes; boots or slippers, with rugs covering the floors of the entire palace, including its balconies. Sinzo and Venera weren't wearing any footwear. While walking to the Meditation Hall, Sinzo recalled when he and his caste arrived a few days before.
The gates of Feather Snow opened up to the caste. The caste had finally reached Feather Snow, the date being 7th of Flanis, the year 357 MC, day Crescent. Sinzo was in the lead on Majestic, with Venera by his side on Delicate. Koushiro was on Wisdom in the middle with Ken and Taichi, mounted on Tradition and Daisuke, mounted on Delicacy. Hikari mounted on Tanumia; Anna mounted on Crystal and the rest of Yagami Huntress Squad was all in the rear.
Just as they all entered the capital's walls, a blizzard appeared in the horizon, approaching the capital and the guards closed the gates behind the caste. Stopping in front of a wall, they all dismounted. Stable boys rushed over and took the mounts to the stables, to be out of the blizzard when it arrived. Hikari glanced around and nothing had changed, at least from the outside, since she became an outcast and departed Feather Snow. Sinzo followed beside Majestic into the stables.
The rest of the caste hurried along towards The Emperor Palace. Hikari led the way and for those who didn't know, figured out that Hikari had been here before. In the Emperor's Stables, the biggest stables in Snarleos, Majestic was taken to his stall and Sinzo went in with him. The stable boys closed the stall doors and stables' doors. The stables were snug and stable from any blizzard.
The stables were connected to each other through narrow corridors, which all had a ceiling and were also all stable from any blizzard. Majestic didn't wear any horse wear and so he was always ready when Sinzo mounted him. Sinzo took down the supplies and his personal stuff. He took out Majestic's brush and brushed his thick fur. Majestic purred in his throat lowly. Sinzo brushed the sweat and cold off of Majestic, while the blizzard hit the capital outside.
When he was all brushed and cleaned, Sinzo took out some grain from his supplies and fed Majestic. There was water in the stall. Once he had his full of grain, Majestic was free to move around the stall, as Sinzo left it and closed the stall behind Majestic. Majestic went straight to the water and started lapping up the water with his tongue. Sinzo had the supplies and his personal stuff with him. From the inside, the stables were of oak wood. Hay was scattered all around the ground.
From the outside the stables looked like the palace, which wasn't too far away and was connected to the stables through the narrow corridors, with marble white walls. Sinzo had lived in Feather Snow before and knew his way around. He stayed with Majestic for awhile and then headed out of the stable, going through different and various corridors, until he reached the palace.
He navigated his way towards the Meeting Hall, where he knew everybody would be. He still carried his supplies and personal stuff. Once he got his room, he would put them down in there, once he got it. As for the meantime, he'd hang on to them. He reached the Meeting Hall and the guards opened up the doors. Sinzo continued on walking, stepping into the hall.
Almost instantly a thunderous applause went up, with Sinzo almost losing his hearing. Once his sight adjusted to the light of the room, he glanced around, stopping just in front of the hall's doors, while the guards outside closed it behind him. The shutters of the hall were all down and the curtains were all closed. The curtains were thick white silk. Candles were lighted up and white light filled the hall. Above a few chandeliers hung from the ceiling, all lighted.
The ground was made of white marble, but was covered by a thick rug, with a picture of a large throne chair. The walls were painted light blue and had light blue wallpaper over the paint. Like all other walls, below the wallpaper and paint was white marble. The hall was humongous, with the ceiling up high from the ground, shaped like a dome painted sky blue and with clouds scattered all around it.
The table was large and circular, with more than enough seat for all the occupants of the hall, made of smooth white marble, like the rest of the hall. Sinzo noticed the rest of the caste there and all the occupants of the hall were standing up. A few butlers came along and took Sinzo's supplies and personal stuff. Sinzo knew that they would take his stuff to his room and so he let them take them. As for the occupants, Sinzo recognized all of them.
The first of them was the Emperor of Floating Flake himself: Emperor Goloch Frugal, in his formal imperial uniform, with his wife: Empress Alicia Vitus beside him, in her formal imperial dress, both in white clothes. Besides his caste, the rest were from other lands all over Snarleos. Royalty from the other lands were all there, except from Vigilance Land, which wasn't a surprise and Elven Kestian Land.
Sinzo spotted the Queen of Tachikawa: Queen Fanaza Tachikawa, in her light pink formal royalty dress. Also there was the King and Queen of Ichiouji: King Isheza Ichiouji and Queen Feza Ichiouji, in their black formal clothes. Hailing from the neighboring snow land, were the royal family of Elven Ishida Land: King Hiroaki Ishida; Queen Natsuko Ishida and Prince Yamato Ishida, all in their blue formal clothes.
Coming from the humid human land of Pride, was King Yamura Starlim, in his red formal uniform.
Sinzo snapped back to reality, with his feet automatically taking him to the Meditation Hall. Both he and Venera stopped in front of the hall's doors. There were no guards, like the rest of the halls, as there was no need for guards in this hall. Anyone could enter or leave as pleased. Sinzo was the one to turn the knob and walk in, with Venera beside him. He closed the door behind him. The curtains were open and the shutters were up, letting in the morning sunlight.
Nothing was in the hall, and nothing covered the white marble walls. A thick rug was on the floor, with grass swaying in a gentle breeze in a plains field, with a blue clear sky above, was the picture of the rug. On the rug were the rest of the caste and the emperor of Floating Flake himself. All of them were seated cross-legged on the rug, in a circle. Only Hikari and Anna were present from Yagami Huntress Squad. All of them were silent, with their eyes closed.
Silently, Sinzo and Venera; careful not to flap her wings, all took the seats in the circle, completing it. They sat cross-legged and closed their eyes, supporting their arms on their legs. Relaxing, Sinzo thought of all the lands in Snarleos... and of his past...
Originally, Sinzo was from one of two independent regions: Young Owl. He was born in Young Owl, being the second child and son. His elder brother: Kamisai, was three years older than him. Recalling back his memories, Sinzo remembered that Alleria wasn't the first to address him as Sio, but it was rather his mother, who he faintly remembered, who started addressing him that and Kamisai knew it. Alleria probably found out through Kamisai.
Being an elf, Sinzo remembered more than a human would of his childhood. His mother was a sweet and beautiful night elf, while his father was an agile, protective dawn elf. Sinzo was the one to come out as a dawn elf, but it was Kamisai who came out as the night elf. The image of his parents was blurry, but he did remember the attention he got from them. He also remembered them addressing Kamisai, by something else other than Kamisai: Kasai.
It was then that Sinzo promised himself that if he ever got married, he would marry a dawn elf, in the dawn elf tradition. He also promised himself that he'd let go of his elder brother, even though the memories would stick with him for life, but he didn't mind. A third promise was that if he ever was blessed with a son, he would name him after his elder brother, Kamisai with the nickname of Kasai. He and his wife would be the first to address their son that, like Sinzo's parents before him.
Thinking of a family and actually settling down, Sinzo changed his promise from the possibility of getting married to actually getting married. With such promises, Sinzo wasn't afraid of being loved or being in love anymore. No matter what, he decided, he would defend those he loved and he would survive. He decided on settling in Young Owl and having a family there, after Venera's request was complete, and her vengeance for her sister was met.
He remembered that Sinzo meant something in the old tongue of Twilasin: Fulfilling Promises, was what the name 'Sinzo' literally meant. Actually, starting to realize it, Sio; Kamisai and Kasai all literally meant something in the old tongue of Twilasin. Sio literally meant 'Dream', which could mean a dream at night, which was a good nice dream, because a nightmare had another word in Twilasin, or Sio could also mean 'Daydream', cut from the word 'Dream'.
Kamisai literally meant 'Gentle Breeze' and Kasai literally meant 'Defender of Innocent and Youth'. At the age of three, he remembered his parents getting murdered, while the family was heading towards Osamu, in Glide Plains. His parents were killed by Golems and only thanks to Kamisai, both survived then. With their parents gone, Kamisai led them back to Young Owl, avoiding any battles. Luckily, their father had taught Kamisai a few things in sword fighting.
Sinzo remembered a few faint moments where he heard something being hammered, like a hammer hitting something metal. Now he understood then that it was his father smelting the sword he currently was carrying. Realizing that brought a tear of happiness to his closed eyes. To be honest with himself, Sinzo knew that he was only good in archery and knew nothing in sword fighting, so he decided to be taught while he had the chance in Feather Snow.
The old tongue of Twilasin was now extinct and only remembered through history books or languages. Sinzo realized that the sword he carried was a sword special and unique, common at the time that the old tongue of Twilasin existed. In Twilasin, the sword was originally named 'Setik', with Owl Feather being the first forms of Setik. Setik could be updated into two newer, stronger forms and Sinzo decided on taking a few lessons in smelting.
Setik literally meant 'Twinklian Blade', a type of weapon the Twilasors used. Twilasors is what the ancient people of Snarleos called themselves. There were other weapons Twilasors used, but Setik only mattered to Sinzo and it was then he decided to name his Setik a genuine name, coming up with the name of Emeraldsnow and its sheath Starden. Emerald, because his favorite gem and jewel was an emerald and an emerald was always tranquil.
Snow from it's beauty; purity and cleanness. As for Starden, Sinzo just liked the word. From what he could remember, all the lands on the continent of Loner admitted to something, the one thing was that Young Owl was the oldest town in Snarleos History, with it being the only inhabited and safest place in all of Snarleos in the ancient times. From Young Owl, the rest of the lands came to be settled. Sinzo was a native to Young Owl and he was proud of it.
Indirectly, so were the others, but Sinzo was directly native to it. The name Young Owl came through the fact of some Twilasor saving a young white owl and caring for it until it completely recovered and returned to the wild. The bandits of Trespass Swamps came from the capital of Husal Land, Pride. After the Battle of Flaring Eyes, the other lands and nations declared Trespass Swamps as hostile territory and for travelers from their lands to avoid it.
That was the basic reason why Sinzo avoided Trespass Swamps when he led his caste to Feather Snow. Remembering how he came to have the cuffs, was actually a pleasant memory and it was when he turned three that he received the cuffs, from his parents as a gift. They told him it was a toy back then, but growing older and with more experience, Sinzo realized that the cuffs were genuine and real. It was the last gift he over received from his parents.
Sinzo remembered that his parents were fluent in Twilasin and they taught it to Kamisai, until Kamisai became fluent in it himself. Sinzo was fluent in Twilasin, with his parents starting to teach it to him, when he was able to start talking, also at the age of three. It was either through directly talking to him through it, or exposing it to him, by them speaking with each other through Twilasin, including Kamisai. When his parents were killed, he wasn't fluent in it yet.
Kamisai took it up upon himself to teach Sinzo as best as he could, and thanks to Kamisai, Sinzo became fluent in Twilasin. Sinzo also thanked Kamisai for many other things. One of the reasons why he always visited Kamisai's grave, was to thank him for what Kamisai did in helping Sinzo out in anyway. The Twilasors believed in a life after death and so did Sinzo's parents. He wasn't told this by them, but rather sensed it in them. Kamisai also believed in such a thing.
Since the rest of his family believed in it, Sinzo decided in believing in it himself and that was why his actual crying and mourning over his brother's death wasn't long. As for others, the mourning was long for their dead comrades. Sinzo mourned for a short period because his brother had actually left him in Snarleos. But then he remembered and with his faith and believe in a life after death, he was assured that Kamisai was in a better; more beautiful place.
A place where no harm or anything bad happened in it. A place where if you walked under the shade of a tree, you could walk under it for an eternity and yet not get out of it; a place where actual rivers of milk; alcohol and honey flew freely. Alcohol different from what the dwarves and other races drunk; alcohol that didn't harm the mind and body in anyway. A place where a man had around forty 'Whoria', being that no living has ever seen or can imagine, beautiful and pure.
If the dead were faithful of such a place and of one god amongst some other things, then their reward was such a place, called Paradise or Heaven, but more known to the Ancient people of Snarleos as Jina or Eden. There were signs for the living to know, in which when they died, the signs would tell them if their eternal residence was a reward or of punishment. Sinzo knew for a fact that there wasn't any place on Snarleos that could compare to Jina or Jahanam.
Jahanam was the eternal residence of the dead of punishment, because they didn't have such faith or believe in such things as one god or a life after death. Jahanam was known to the ancient people, but was more commonly known as Hell or Hellfire. Snarleos was just part of a life always filled with tests from the one god, a life that would determine the final residence of the being. The key to continuously succeeding in the tests, was to be always patient.
The Elven Kestian Land was located somewhere in the Forest of Zovar, with the only city and the capital in the land being Floating Leaf. It kept close relations with only Young Owl and isolated itself from the rest of Snarleos. It was rumored that in Floating Leaf, the extinct Twilasin language was the official language and that the currency was Ranid. It was also rumored that most, if not all, the populace of the Kestian Land, were believers.
Like the ancient Twilasors of old, the Kestians of Floating Leaf had weapons that the ancient Twilasors wielded and used. Sinzo was determined that once he settled down in Young Owl, he would turn the desolate Prosperity Desert, into a thriving desert. He realized that there were no cities that were populated by only dwarves; tauren or gnome.
He decided on building cities in Prosperity Desert, renaming it to Tracker Land, with him being the mayor of the capital of Tracker Land, Young Owl. There would be cities and a harbor in Tracker Land, with a city special for dwarves; a city special for tauren and a city special for gnomes. The nations of Floating Flake and Ishida were both neighbors in the cold snow lands of Nadaicia. The nation of Ichiouji was located in Glide Plains.
The nation of Tachikawa was located near the Cavern of Myths. The nation of Husal was located in the Prairie Plains 'Smilefree Plains'. Floating Leaf was one of the destinations Sinzo decided on visiting then, no matter of time. It didn't matter to him if he made it to Floating Leaf in this journey of his and Venera's. He had a feeling from then that a few others would join the castes and would be announced during the Welcoming Parade.
Sinzo sensed that the date the caste arrived, would be a holiday in the Empire of Floating Flake. It was only several months before, at the exact date, 7th of Flanis, the year 353 MC, day Twinkle that The Silver Caste actually started with Venera approaching Sinzo, back in Setista.
Once again Sinzo was cut out of his train of thoughts with the emperor getting up. Sinzo opened his eyes, along with the rest of the caste and the caste stood back onto their feet, with straightened backs. The emperor straightened his formal uniform.
"We've kept the people of Feather Snow waiting long enough. On with the Welcoming Parade. The rest of the caste would be on the Frontal Balcony of this palace." The emperor explained.
The caste all nodded and followed the emperor out of the Meditation Hall. Sinzo was the last one out and he closed the doors of the Mediation Hall behind him. He expected to join in a few new members into the caste, with it becoming official in Snarleos, after the parade. There was a silent agreement between Ken and Daisuke, which was that wherever Ken went on Tradition, Daisuke followed on Delicacy.
Ken had already decided to follow Sinzo and other members of the caste to wherever he went. There was a silent bitterness when Ken met up with his parents. Both were silent with each other and Daisuke had felt it. The emperor led the caste through various corridors, heading towards the Frontal Balcony. Sinzo decided not to be conscious about the parade and decided on telling Venera everything, including Hikari and Ken, who both deserved to know.
Sinzo didn't mind if Ken or Hikari told others, and he wasn't worried of Venera telling anyone. The crest of the Empire of Floating Flake was the white crest of Tranquility; the crest of the Kingdom of Tachikawa was the pink crest of sincerity; the crest of the Kingdom of Ichiouji was the black crest of kindness; the crest of the Kingdom of Ishida was the blue crest of friendship; rumor was that the crest of the Nation of Kestis was the green crest of balance.
The crest of the Kingdom of Husal was the red crest of pride; the crest of the Nation of Vigilance was the yellow crest of desire. Sinzo wouldn't be surprised if the royalties from Tachikawa; Ichiouji; Ishida and Husal were all there. Eventually the emperor reached the balcony door and opened it. He was the first to step in and walk over to the low marble fence of the balcony. The rest of the caste walked in with Sinzo as the last.
He was trained to aim at his target and focus on it, which meant to loss his senses of sight and hearing of everything else around him. That's exactly what he did as he walked through the balcony door. The people of Feather Snow all cheered when they saw Sinzo enter. He took his place beside the emperor at the front row, with the rest of the caste behind him. On another balcony, beside the Frontal Balcony, was the Imperial Balcony.
Surely in it were the royalties from Tachikawa; Ichiouji; Ishida and Husal. Ken had Daisuke tell his parents of his plans, and his parents had no choice but to accept. Prince Yamato Ishida was with the caste and the emperor, waiting in the Frontal Balcony, along with a Knight of the Tachikawa Order. Sinzo sensed that it was a female that was the knight and was sure of it, but kept it a secret. He had a sensation that it was the Princess of Tachikawa: Mimi Tachikawa, in undercover herself.
He felt that both Prince Yamato Ishida of Ishida and Princess Mimi Tachikawa of Tachikawa were both to join him with his journey and quest until the end. He also had a sensation that all the others went to join him; he could sense it from them all and Sinzo knew that Venera had also sensed it. Sinzo knew that Yamato was and still is searching for his young brother: Prince Takeru Ishida, since he disappearance and joining the caste, Yamato figured he would find Takeru.
In the distance, the flag of the Empire of Floating Flake was swaying high in the air. There were seats for everyone on the two balconies and everyone took their seats. Sinzo also noticed a Floating Flaker Ranger woman of the Floating Flake Order. The streets emptied for the parade to start. The parade started and the emperor bent his head towards Sinzo to whisper something to him. Sinzo bent to the side to listen, having an idea on what he wanted to whisper.
"Both Prince Yamato Ishida; that knight and ranger woman all want to join your caste. The ranger woman is one of the best in Floating Flake, and she'll lead a group of Floating Flake's finest Cloakists, joint human and night; dawn elven force, with you." The emperor whispered.
"I figured that out." Sinzo replied, whispering.
"Are you going to accept them?" The emperor asked.
Sinzo nodded and pulled out three headbands, the headbands that the rest of the caste wore. The Frontal Balcony was more than large enough for the caste. The emperor nodded in return and straightened out, returning on enjoying the parade. But Sinzo, Sinzo was different as he stared off into space... Only a few moments later did Venera nudge his side and Sinzo was brought back to reality. The caste was all standing up, while the emperor officially addressed them by their names.
Sinzo and the rest of the caste with him waved. The emperor started his speech, declaring the day that the caste arrived in as a holiday and that The Silver Caste was officially alive, or born. Standing up, Sinzo once again stared off into space, with the emperor's voice fading away.
Next day, early in the morning, Sinzo gathered the caste into his bedroom, with all of them arriving, except for Prince Ishida. During the parade the day before, Sinzo had officially joined Prince Ishida; Princess Tachikawa and the ranger woman into his caste, putting the headbands onto their foreheads. Princess Tachikawa and the ranger were both present in the bedroom. First, Sinzo had every one introduce themselves to the rest, a small unofficial introduction.
When it reached Princess Tachikawa's turn, she introduced herself as Princess Tachikawa and the rest of the caste gasped in surprise. Sinzo told the caste that if there were any personal secrets in the caste, for the rest of the caste to pledge to keep such secret. The caste did and eventually Prince Ishida joined them. Earlier that day, Sinzo explained to Yamato the plans for the meeting and when he entered, he hadn't missed anything because Sinzo already had told him.
"Well, since you're all here now, I wanted to share with you all some history of mine." Sinzo started.
He took out his cuffs and showed them to the entire caste. He noticed Koushiro glancing at Mimi and Mimi glancing at Koushiro, with their eyes meeting momentarily sometimes. Once the cuffs returned to him, he explained why it was so precious to him. He was alone where he sat and he sat with his legs bent backwards, with the rest of the caste sitting in front of him in a semi-circle.
"I used these cuffs to bring Hikari out from Setista with me; Vera and Ken here. It was useful back then, but I keep them because it was the last gift I received from my parents." Sinzo explained.
He was silent for a few moments, as was the rest of the caste. Now Hikari understood why he decided on keeping his cuffs with him. After the few moments of silence, Sinzo continued on explaining his past history. He ended it when he settled down in Setista for a few years. He mentioned the battle of Flaring Eyes, the survival of the Starrune tribe and the rescue of Starlight back in Young Owl.
Sinzo and his caste stayed in Feather Snow for several months, preparing themselves for the coming journey. Sinzo had already told them that he intended to head through Trespass Swamps and that it would be dangerous. Sinzo asked the best sword-wielding master in Feather Snow and the sword master accepted. Sinzo taught under him, by training his Emeraldsnow until he excelled in it.
Prince Ishida was late on the day after the Welcoming Parade because he was seeing his parents off. Sinzo was taught a few lessons in sword smelting, until Sinzo was assured that with the right tools, he could upgrade his Emeraldsnow on his own. Prince Ishida was also a ranger in the Ishida Order. While their stay in Feather Snow, Michael and Catherine had both arrived in their chopper, with Iori; Foreen and Lou. Sinzo wasn't surprised that Alleria wasn't with them.
After excelling in sword wielding, he trained with the rest of his caste with swords; bows; arrows; glaives and magic. They trained through training and sparring matches with each other, where both warriors were careful not to inflect any serious injury to their comrade. Eventually everyone in the caste became equally good in sword fighting; archery; riding; glaive throwing and magic. They all trained sometimes in battling while they rode their mounts; for those that did have mounts.
Sinzo became more and more skilled in weaving his own magic, to the degree that he could call on it almost instantly and he learnt of different ways in weaving his magic. The magic was new to Koushiro and quite interesting to him, and as a result, Sinzo allowed him to study his unique magic. Koushiro and Mimi spent a few precious romantic moments together alone several times they could and became quite intimate with each other.
Venera and Sinzo were also becoming intimate with each other, with the rest of the caste noticing it. Sinzo kept the secret of him sighting Venera as a dawn elf to himself. Venera was quite surprised that Sinzo opened up to her and enjoyed it, letting herself be open with him, since she had feelings for him as well. All the training was necessary as they all needed it since they were heading through Trespass Swamps. With all of them busy, the months swiftly flew by.
It was eventually time for them to all depart. The ranger with them was young, but an excellent ranger. She was a dawn elf, by the name of Teresa Mason. She and the rest of her joint Cloakist force didn't use mounts, but none of the force complained about it, and rather enjoyed roaming freely on foot. Sinzo rode in the lead on Majestic, with Venera beside him on Delicate. Teresa took the lead of the Cloakist force, protecting the sides of the caste.
Koushiro rode on Wisdom, with Ken on Tradition and Daisuke allowing Taichi to ride with him on Delicacy, with all of them being in the middle. Being a ranger, Yamato stayed with the caste by being on foot. He was with Koushiro; Ken; Daisuke and Taichi. The caste knew of his mission in searching for his brother and Hikari kept her love to Takeru a secret. Speaking of the Yagami Huntress Squad, Hikari and Anna on their mounts both took the lead of the squad in the rear.
The gates of Feather Snow closed behind them and dawn was close, as the caste left Feather Snow early in the morning, a few hours before dawn, with them fully equipped with their weapons and supplies. Again, the caste was to avoid Osamu and head straight into Trespass Swamps this time. During the days they spent traveling in Nadaicia, total silence was on the caste and the protecting Cloakist force.
It took the large traveling force seven days to leave Nadaicia and enter Glide Plains. The caste had also purposely avoided Proud Mane: the capital of Elven Ishida. They were all in Glide Plains when the first night in the plains came. Sinzo chose a camping site for the night and the traveling force stopped for the night. Sinzo and the others let their mounts roam freely nearby in the plains, eating and resting as they pleased.
A campfire was built and after many days of silence, chattering started in the Cloakist force and in the caste. After the meal was over, the Cloakist force set up sentries around the camping site, which was further away than the mounts went. Venera and Sinzo were lying on their backs, staring up into the sky, gazing at the stars and chatted silently with each other.
Sometimes Yamato and Daisuke would take turns in scouting ahead of the traveling force, sometimes at night and sometimes during the day. Venera; the Yagami Huntress Squad and Koushiro were all taught healing magic by Taichi back in Feather Snow. Koushiro and Mimi was another couple that were alone together in the night, just lying on their backs, staring up into the sky, gazing at the stars and chatting silently with each other.
The traveling force encountered no trouble either during the time they spent traveling in Nadaicia or Glide Plains. During the days of traveling in the Glide Plains, were pleasant and cheerful days. The caste was all in high moral as were their mounts and the Cloakist force. The caste and the Cloakist force knew that they were inching closer and closer to Trespass Swamps by every mile they rode.
They were all determined to pass through the swamps without casualties or any serious injuries and survive leaving it. The plan was just to ride through swiftly and to cut down any bandit or dragon that tried to stop them. Eventually, after 11 days in Glide Plains, Trespass Swamps appeared in the horizon, far away for like 15 miles and nearer was a small farm. Sinzo never knew of the farm as it seemed to be recent by only a few years old.
With cautious, Sinzo had Majestic trot to the small farm, with the rest of the caste and the Cloakist force following him. From what Sinzo could see, there was only one male human farmer working on his small crop land. Upon hearing horses approaching, the farmer stopped his work and looked upwards, leaning onto his farming tool, over his crop land. His medical eyeglasses showed that he was reliable on himself, with his short blue hair and black eyes.
He was wearing peasant clothes, yet was hard at work on his crop moments before. Sinzo was the first to reach him and stop in front of him.
"Hey there travelers. Where's your destination?" The farmer asked.
"Cavern of Myths. This is your farm?" Sinzo asked, still riding on Majestic.
The farmer nodded, "yes. I know it's nothing much and I'm not going independent or anything. I consider this land of mine part of Ichiouji, even if it's so close to the hostile territory of Trespass Swamps."
"Ichiouji doesn't mind having land this close to Trespass Swamps." Ken informed.
The farmer turned his sight to him and nodded in recognition of the prince of Ichiouji.
"When did you start working on this land of yours?" Sinzo inquired.
"I started working on this land from two years and three months ago." The farmer replied.
Sinzo nodded, "that explains why I've only come to see it just now. From since you started your work here, did you leave to Osamu? Or any other neighboring town or city?" He asked.
The farmer shook his head, "no. I haven't had the time to. I've been too busy building my cabin and working on my farm." He replied.
Sinzo rubbed his chin, "do you know a quick route through Trespass Swamps?" He asked.
The farmer blinked, "why would you travelers want to go through the swamps? I mean I can see you all armed in defense in some way, but you can take the longer and safer route." He reminded.
"We took that route when we were heading to Feather Snow, now we're from Feather Snow heading to Cavern of Myths." Daisuke informed.
"And that doesn't answer my question." Sinzo added.
The farmer sighed, "very well. I don't want any dispute with you travelers. In all honesty, I've kept myself out of Trespass Swamps, so I don't know the territory at all." He sincerely explained.
"So we'll have to make our own path." Venera whispered.
"That's not the only thing..." Sinzo realized.
Venera moaned, "please don't tell me you're thinking what you're thinking!" She complained.
Sinzo stared at her, "why are you complaining? It's easier for you." He reminded.
"Yeah, if dragons don't show up!" Venera exclaimed.
Sinzo sweat-dropped, "I forgot about those." He muttered.
"What is it?" Yamato requested.
"Rangers and cloakists, we're all joining you on foot. Trudging through the swamps would be hard on the mounts, regardless if they can fly or not. They'll slow us down and it'll be harder for all of us. I suggest we leave our mounts here with this reliable farmer and once done, we'll come back for them." Sinzo suggested.
"... It'll be hard for me to leave Tanumia for some time, but still it's not like it's the first time I leave her behind in safe hands." Hikari whispered.
Tanumia meowed in a low tone, one only Hikari could hear. In response, Hikari smiled down at her panther. Ken sighed and let go of the reins on Tradition.
"I guess you're right. All that training with battling while on horseback would backfire on us when the terrain is against us, like in a blizzard or in swamps." Ken decided.
Daisuke nodded, "sure. I'll leave Delicacy here. Coming back to my mount would be a goal of mine and for that to happen, I'll have to survive the odds." He shrugged.
"Good thinking. You know of elves moving swift in trees, regardless of the type of terrain the ground is. This would be to our advantage." Teresa agreed.
"Not if the bandits took residence and prepared ambushes in the trees." Sinzo warned.
Teresa blinked and nodded, "thanks for that piece of information."
"So what's the deal?" The farmer asked.
Sinzo dismounted, "I can't speak for the rest, but I'm leaving Majestic here with you." He decided.
Daisuke dismounted off of Delicacy and he helped Taichi dismount Delicacy. Ken dismounted Tradition; Koushiro dismounted Wisdom and he helped Mimi off of Wisdom. Venera dismounted Delicate; Hikari dismounted Tanumia; Anna dismounted Crystal and following their mistress' and lieutenant's decisions, the rest of Yagami Huntress Squad dismounted their panthers.
"I'll scout ahead, in some tree entering Trespass Swamps." Yamato decided, rushing off.
Sinzo gathered all the mounts together and handed them all over to the farmer. The farmer nodded.
"I'll take good care of them while you're all gone." He assured.
"Just one last thing." Sinzo requested.
"What?" The farmer asked.
"What's your name?" Sinzo asked.
The farmer smiled, "the name's Joe Kido. Yours?" He asked.
"Sinzo Tracker. Pleasure to meet you." Sinzo greeted, shaking hands with Joe.
Sinzo turned to his caste.
"Take what little supplies you can from the mounts. It'll take us at least two days, maybe even a few hours through Trespass Swamps if all goes well. We'll stop at Meems and freshen up there before heading into the Cavern of Myths." He explained.
The caste all whined, but stopped once Sinzo took some supplies from Majestic. Venera followed, and even though she was a fairy, carried a few supplies with her. Daisuke and Ken took supplies from their horses and Yagami Huntress Squad took a few supplies from their panthers. Once all set, the caste and the Cloakist force gathered around together and stared off into Trespass Swamps.
"Everyone stay close to each other. I don't want any casualties in my caste or in the Cloakist force. At least every two stay side by side." Sinzo informed.
Ken and Daisuke teamed up; Sinzo and Venera teamed up; Taichi and Yagami Huntress Squad teamed up; Koushiro and Mimi teamed up and Teresa was already teamed up with her Cloakist force. It was decided that Ken and Daisuke would allow Yamato with them, when he rejoined the caste and force in swamps. The mounts stared at their riders, walking off and out of sight into the swamps.
Once out of sight, the mounts roamed around Joe's farm freely and happily. Joe kept staring at the direction the travelers went into, even after they disappeared out of sight. He smiled to himself and went back to his work, alert to the mounts.
Both Yamato and Takeru were night elves, after their mother. Yamato was sitting knelt down high in a tree branch, just at the entrance of Trespass Swamps, even though there wasn't any sort of wall or blockade denying anyone entry. The swamps were thick with foliage and it was Yamato's first time in the swamps, if it helped him out in finding Takeru, then he'd be damned if he didn't come out of it alive.
From what Yamato could see, he understood why the farmer had never entered the swamps; there were muddy wide lakes, with strong humidity and mist all around the area. One couldn't see far into the swamps and could easily get lost if he or she was alone, that is if the bandits left him or her alone.
"Are you around Yamato?" A voice asked.
Yamato looked around him and eventually noticed the caste and the cloakists down below him. He blinked, noticing that they really did leave their mounts behind. It didn't matter to him though, since he was traveling on foot.
"... Can you see any danger?" A voice asked.
Again, Yamato looked down and saw Prince Ichiouji looking back up, straight at Yamato. Yamato grinned.
"Call me Matt. Nothing. The mist is covering the area, making visibility extremely minimal." He replied.
"It's wiser to come down. Like what Sinzo told me, the bandits could be living or having ambushes in the trees." Teresa informed.
Yamato blinked, 'that's one clever ranger, for a dawn elf. Not bad Ranger Tracker.' He thought.
"Very well. Make way. I'm coming down." He decided.
He waited for a few short moments and jumped off of the branch he was on. He rushed through leaves, leaving them unharmed and he avoided branches while he fell. He landed safely near the caste unharmed. He stood back up straight onto his feet. Sinzo was hesitant to enter the swamps. It had been so long since the battle in the swamps and near it, in which Sinzo felt a tinge of fear for what laid ahead.
He had led the caste and the Cloakist force this far and there was no backing down, especially from his promises. He would deserve his name as it meant. Without turning around, he spoke.
"If anyone gets lost, be sure that the rest would see you in Meems. I don't want to loss anyone here." He informed.
With determination and confidence higher than fear and with a sigh, Sinzo took a step forward into the mist. Venera quickly followed before she lost him and behind them the two heard the rest following them into the swamps.
The mist was truly terrible and both Sinzo and Venera kept on their guards, marching ahead. In no time, they felt their feet sinking into the lake and becoming heavier with every step because of the mud. Both Sinzo and Venera made sure that they both kept sight of each other and so there bodies were slightly touching each other, for reassurance from the other, saying that they're still there.
As they trudged deeper and deeper into the swamps, the humid made them both sweat and they struggled to keep their balance and to continue moving on. It was inevitable for at least a few of them to get lost and there was nothing Sinzo could do, even if a few were killed by bandits, or maybe even dragons, if they returned or hid in the swamps. Sinzo's mind was rested to a degree that everyone in his caste and the Cloakist force were trained well and could fight for themselves.
There was no guarantee though that they won't be overwhelmed or survive. Sinzo felt Venera's body suddenly collapse fast beside him and he quickly caught hold of Venera's waist, before she sunk completely into the swamps. Something tugged her downwards and it was past Sinzo's limits to hold on, with all the fatigue and heat, but his love for Venera refused to let her go and he kept his hold firm, impressing Venera.
Venera herself tried to free herself from whatever was holding one of her feet, but whenever she pulled, the thing holding her foot pulled back, holding her down. If she had used her wings and flew into the air, faster than the thing could sink her, then maybe she would get free and Sinzo could kill it. She knew the risk though and for it to happen, Sinzo had to let go of her waist.
Sinzo's mind raced as he tried to figure of a way to free Venera from her plea. He had already figured that something living in the swamp had caught Venera's foot and was pulling on it towards itself. Letting Venera go, would mean losing her and that wasn't an option Sinzo was about to take. With his hands and arms full, he couldn't even protect himself from any other danger.
If any of the others got into a similar situation, they would get out of it quickly. If it was Daisuke; Ken or Yamato, one of them would hold onto the one in distress and the third would locate and kill whatever held the one in distress. The same went for the Cloakist force or Yagami Huntress Squad. Koushiro and Mimi were two like them and if Mimi was in distress, or Koushiro himself, then Koushiro would locate the danger and use his magic to kill it.
Sinzo blinked his eyes, remembering his own unique magic and glad that he trained on it. He called upon it and instant warm; relaxing and refreshing energy flew through his body, from inwards to outwards, concentrating eventually in his hands. With him holding onto Venera, Venera could feel the warmth and comfort coming from Sinzo's magic. Remembering what he did back in Venture Pass, when he took down multiple Razormane in one attack, Sinzo concentrated.
His magic obliged his call and an ownalis sphere formed beside him. Sinzo was used to his magic and it didn't weaken him or give him pain, not anymore. His magic was like his sixth sense or second nature to him. He released the sphere into the swamp and Venera was tugged hard into the swamp, but with Sinzo's firm grip, Venera was safe. From such a tug, Sinzo realized that he made a hit on the creature, whatever it was, though maybe not right on target.
Concentrating again, Sinzo formed a circle of ownalis spheres floating in midair beside him, spinning around in one big circle vertically. With the purpose to kill the creature holding Venera, Sinzo aimed at the same spot where he released his previous attack. Releasing the circle of ownalis spheres, they went flying downwards into the same spot, behind each other. One after another hit home and at first, the creature tugged.
Though eventually, Venera felt it's grip on her foot loosen and when the last sphere stroke home, Venera freed her foot with ease and sighed. Sinzo let go of her and Venera regained her composure. The two rested, regaining their breathes, for a few moments standing up. After their short rest, both continued on through the traitorous swamps without facing any more trouble.
It took them a few hours, but they eventually made it out of the swamps and into the plains again. Ahead were mountains, not too far, which indicated that they were close to Meems. Rather than wait for the others, they continued on after a brief rest from their trudge through the swamps. They had both entered the swamps together and both have left it together alive and in one piece. Sinzo only hoped that he would see the others during his and Venera's rest in Meems.
There is a land... A land full of harmony... With its prosperous people... Of noble species... A land yet full of mysteries... No matter the unveiled... Snarleos remains the wonder... A land full of harmony
